One piece plugboard plug connector



1969 a. E. SHLESINGER, JR 26,721

ONE PIECE PLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR Original Filed July 26, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

LB. Evwnnv Smesmoem J;

Nov. 25, 1969 a. E. SHLESINGER, JR 26,721

ONE PIECE PLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July26, 1965 INVENTOR. B. EDWARD SHusmezR JR.

Nov. 25, 1969 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR 26,721

ONE PIECE PLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR Original Filed July 26, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 3 BYL 1969 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR 26,721

ONE PIECE PLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR Original Filed July 26, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet A INVENTOR. Bimini: Emma firulsnmu ll By 7M KW 1969' a. E.SHLESINGER, JR Re. 26,

ONE PIECE PLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR Original Filed July 26, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 5 1 N VENTOR.

BERNARv E OWAR w 5l-ussmauz h United States Patent f 26,721 ONE PIECEPLUGBOARD PLUG CONNECTOR Bernard Edward Shlesinger, In, Annandale, Va.,assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Original No. 3,275,973, dated Sept. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 474,932, July 26,1965. Application for reissue July 10, 1968, Ser. No. 747,022

Int. Cl. Hlllr 9/08 US. Cl. 339-217 33 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connector is provided for insertion into aplugboard or the like. The connector is of simple one piece constructionand is designed to hold in place in a plagboard when pressure is appliedagainst the front portion of the connector while being readily withdrawnwhen a pu ling force is exerted on the rear portion of the connector. Thcse characteristics are achieved by a spring dctent memher which takesvarious forms as set forth in the modifications disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is acontinuation of Ser. No. 641,062 filed May 11, 1967, now abandoned,which is a reissue application of Ser. No. 474,932 filed July 26, 1965,now Patent No. 3,275,973.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 321,125, filedNovember 4, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates to electrical connector plugs, and moreparticularly to spring latch hand plugs that hold against pressure onthe front portion but are readily withdrawn by a pull on the rearportion.

In present-day electrical equipment, it is common practice to employconnector panels or boards wherein connector plugs are insertedselectively in receptacles to connect and disconnect various controlcircuits. It is desirable that the plug be easily removable from theconnector panel by a pull on the rear portion thereof, but not removableby a push on the front or tip portion of the contact member.

Heretofore, snap latch plugs have been provided with a detent systemthat includes a spring detent member and detent locking means that arecomplex, and generally include multiple parts which are expensive tomanufacture and to incorporate in assembly in the plug body. If thenumber of parts has been reduced, there still has been the problem ofproviding a detent system which is capable of allowing the plug to bereadily inserted and removed from a plugboard, to maintain the plugsecurely in position, and to hold the plug in position upon a forcebeing applied to the front or tip portion thereof.

One of the problems in connection with the detent system consisting ofadded spring parts is that the spring parts are made of materialdifferent from that of the shell portion of the plug, thereby requiringthat the spring parts be manufactured separately from the shell portion.Another problem is the insertion of the spring parts into the shellportion during manufacture of the plug. A

Re. 26,721 Reissued Nov. 25, 1969 assembled in a plug shell and othersincluding spring elements of a form difficult to manufacture andmaintain to the uniform shape and close tolerances desired for uniformdetention characteristics, as well as incidental elements thereof orconnected thereto. Further, for tiny detent systems, the spring elementstend to break while being inserted during assembly resulting in timeloss and additional cost of manufacture because of breakage discord. Inactual use, the tiny springs now being manufactured, tend to fracturebecause of the sharp angular bends of the present designs, causingbreakdown and malfunctioning of equipment when the plugs areaccidentally pushed out of their receptacles.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a onepiece snap latch plug which is simple and more economical inconstruction and which can be blanked from sheet material by a simplestamping operation.

It is another object of the present invention to avoid the use of addedspring parts which are relatively costly in assembly and material, andgenerally require more force to be removed from a plugboard.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a snap latchplug with a detent system which is rugged and will retain substantiallyits original characteristics over a long life.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an effectivearrangement to prevent the removal of the plug from a control panel uponforce being applied to the front or tip portion thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of adetent system integral with the plug shell and of a charactersusceptible to precise control of shape.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of adetent system integral with the plug shell and having a nose portionsurrounding the front section of the shell which is movable relativethereto.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is notintended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given forpurposes of illustration in the invention and principles thereof and themanner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it invarious forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of aparticular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the configuration of a piece of material fora plug connector prior to formation thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the plug connector after formationthereof from the material of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a view taken on the lines 2-2 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view in elevation of the plug connector ofFIGURE 2 in fully inserted position in an aperture of a plugboard;

FIGURE 3a is a view taken on the lines 33 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are views similar to that of FIG- URE 3, illustratingthe plug at different stages of insertion in the plugboard aperture;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1, but of anotherembodiment;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are respectively a top plan view and side of the plugconnector after formation thereof from the material of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a part plan view of another embodiment similar to that ofFIGURE 6;

FIGURE is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but of another embodiment;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector afterformation thereof from the material of FIG- URE 10;

FIGURES l2 and 13 are a plan view and a cross-sectional viewrespectively of a blank and formed plug connector similar to that ofFIGURES 1-5;

FIGURES 14 and 15 are a plan view and a cross-sectional viewrespectively of a blank and formed plug connector similar to that ofFIGURES 6-8;

FIGURES 16 and 17 are a plan view and a cross-sectional viewrespectively of a blank and formed plug connector of another embodimentof the present invention;

FIGURES l8 and 19 are views taken along the lines 1818 and 1919respectively of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 20 is a plan view of a blank for an additional embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of a formed plug connector from theblank of FIGURE 20;

FIGURE 22 is a side elevational view of the plug of FIGURE 21;

FIGURE 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGURE 22; and

FIGURE 24 is an enlarged view taken along lines 2424 of FIGURE 23.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular FIGURES 1-5, there is showna blank of material 1 which has one end 2 that is planer, and theopposite end in the form generally of two arcs A having flattenedcentral portions 3. One side 4 has a recess 5 disposed therein, whilethe opposite side 6 has a tongue member 7 parallel therewith andintegrally connected thereto by piece 8. Between end 2 and piece 8, agroove 9 is disposed therein. A rectangular slot 10 is disposedforwardly of the center of blank 1 toward end 3, and a dimpled area 11is disposed forwardly of slot 10 along both sides 4 and 6.

Blank 1 is preferably made from a resilient conductive material, such asnickel-plated, full hard brass, but can be made from any other suitablematerial. Also, blank 1 is preferably stamped out from a sheet of brass,but certainly it can be obtained in any other suitable manner. Moreover,during the process of stamping out blank 1, it can also be formed into atubular configuration through a progressive die machine conventional inthe art.

Upon blank 1 being formed into a tubular configuration, as shown inFIGURES 2-5, there is provided a plug body comprising a shell portion1a, a nose portion 1b, and a rear portion 1c; the latter portions havinga smaller diameter than the shell portion. Flattened areas 3 when blank1 is formed into tubular configuration will provide a nose 1b having aflat and smooth end surface. Tongue member 7 is formed into a detentsystem comprising a spring detent member 7a of arcuate configurationextending through slot 10 and above the surface of shell portion 1a, anda detent locking member 7b extending through and beyond nose portion 1b.A contact member 18 mounted in another panel (not shown) engage noseportion 1b to make electrical contact therebetween, Dimpled area 11 isdisposed inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the plug; detentlocking member 7b engages dimpled area 11 to bias member 7b toward thelongitudinal axis and to maintain a substantial portion thereof free ofthe inner surface of nose portion 1b in order to decrease the frictionalengagement therebetween. Nose portion 1b also acts as a guide means fordetent locking member 7b. The dimpled area 11 also serves to urge thetongue member 7 and the spring detent member 7a in an upwardly directionto project further out of slot 10 when pressure is brought on 7b ashereinafter explained.

The edges of tongue member 7 the preferably rounded in order to reducethe frictional engagement between this member and slot 10 and noseportion 1b. The outer bottom edge of nose portion 1b, forward of dimpledarea 11, can be clinched inwardly toward the longitudinal axis in thesame manner as dimpled area 11 in order that member 7 rides thereon,thereby providing only dimpled area 11 and this clinched portion of thebottom inner surface of nose portion 1b on which member 7 engages.

FIGURE 10 illustrates a blank similar to that of FIGURE 1 except thatthe slot is formed by recesses disposed in sides 104 and 106. With thisarrangement, it is obvious that member 7 may extend through slot 110 ifformed on the same side as piece 8 as illustrated in FIGURE 11 when theplug has been formed which is opposite to that shown in FIGURE 3.

While there has been shown a dimpled area disposed in the plug body, itis obvious that other suitable means can be provided to maintain member7b substantially free of nose portion 1b, such as, for example, aportion 111 cut in the shell portion inwardly toward the longitudinalaxis of the plug, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11.

As can be seen from FIGURE 3, the plug is mounted in an aperture 12 ofplugboard 13, and the groove 9, which is now a circumferential ridge,acts as a limit means to limit the inward movement of the plug withinthe operture.

The rear portion 1c includes a securing means 14 by which conductormeans 15 is mechanically and electrically connected to the plug.Securing means 14 preferably comprises a ferrule member which is crimpedaround the wire means of conductor means 15 by cold-forging techniquesconventional in the art, such as disclosed by US. Patent No. 2,600,012.Of course, any other means for securing the conductor means to the plugcan be utilized.

An insulating sheath or sleeve 16 of suitable plastic material isdisposed around the rear portion of the plug and adjacent insulation ofconductor means 15 as by molding, or in any suitable manner such as byslipping sheath 16 onto conductor means 15 beyond the area of crimpingto be applied to the securing means, and after the wire means has beencrimped within the securing means the sheath is pushed onto rear portion10 against ridge 9. Sheath l6 insulates the ferrule member or securingmeans 14, supports the conductor means contiguous the securing means,and provides a handle for manipulating the plug.

Turning once again to the spring detent member 7a, the rear portion 7'athereof curves upwardly away from the longitudinal axis of the plug,whereas the front portion 7"a curves inwardly toward the longitudinalaxis. It is recommended that the rear portion 7'a be of a sharper curvethan portion 7"a. The reason for this is that pressure on 7b will tendto exert a more positive force thrusting 7a outwardly rather thaninwardly. It will be obvious also that shifting the position of piece 8aforward will increase the latching action and vice versa. The topsurface of the spring detent member is smoothly curved in a continuousmanner in order to reduce the frictional resistance thereof duringinsertion of the plug into and removal of the plug from the board. Inorder to strengthen the spring detent member and the detent lockingmeans, they can be shaped so as to have an arcuate cross-sectionalconfiguration. Thus, the spring detent member so formed has excellentresilient properties which provide proper retention capability afterextensive repeated use.

In order that the dimpled area 11 can operate effectively when detentlocking means 7b has an arcuate crosssectional configuration, it shouldhave the convex portion thereof engaging dimpled area 11 instead of theconcave portion, thereby resulting in part of tongue member 7 having anarcuate cross-sectional configuration in one direction and the otherpart having an arcuate crosssectional configuration in the otherdirection (see FIG- URE 3a).

FIGURES 6-8 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGURES 1-5. FIGURE 6shows the blank 1' of material from which the plug of FIGURES 7 and 8 isto be formed. Side 4' and adjacent tongue member 7 have notches 17disposed therein. The side of tongue member 7' adjacent the notch issheared to about, or just beyond, the transverse plane through thecenter of blank 1. The length of the cut will determine the extent ofspring action of the member 7'. Side 4 also has a projection 4'aextending from the forward part of the notch 17 toward the forward partof the blank. Disposed in each of the arcs A having flattened ends 3'adjacent the interception therebetween is a dimpled area 11". Toward theend 2' is a ridge 9'.

The blank of FIGURE 6 is formed into the plug, illustrated in FIGURES 7and 8, in a manner similar to the formation of the plug shown in FIGURES2-5 as outlined above, but as can be discerned the spring detent member70 is integrally anchored to the upper surface of shell portion l'a andprovides an upwardly curved portion 70' extending above the surface ofshell portion l'a and a downwardly curved portion 70" extending withinthe opening formed by notches 17. This downwardly curved portion 70"then forms detent locking means 71 which has a curved portion 71'engaging the inwardly formed dimpled area 11' and a projecting portion71" disposed within and beyond nose portion 1'b. The function of dimpledarea 11' is the same as that of dimpled area 11 of FIGURES L6 and neednot be further explained here.

While the upwardly curved portion 70 is shown as extending parallel tothe surface of the shell portion l'b, the side 4' can be provided with arecess 17' (see FIGURE 9) so that when the plug is formed, the springdetent member is formed in the same manner as that of FIGURES 6-8 exceptthat the portion of tongue member 7" between the place where the springdetent member is integrally anchored to the shell portion and theupwardly curved portion 70' is bent inwardly within the recess 17'toward the longitudinal axis of the plug in order to provide additionalresiliency to the spring detent member. Also, to lend strength to thespring detent member and detent locking means, they can be formed so asto have an arcuate cross-sectional configuration.

While only one spring detent member and one detent locking means hasbeen disclosed, it is to be understood that more than one of these canbe provided in each of the above-described plug connectors asillustrated by the blanks of FIGURES 12 and 14 and their assembled plugsillustrated respectively in FIGURES l3 and 15.

In FIGURE 12 there is shown two blanks 100' similar to that shown inFIGURE and when the blanks are formed into a plug connector such asshown in FIG- URE 13, two detent systems 107 extend outwardly from thebody portion through slots 110' disposed diametrically therein andthrough the nose portion.

FIGURE 14 shows a double blank 100" similar to that shown in FIGURE 6and when the blanks are formed into a plug connector such as shown inFIGURE 15, two detent systems 70' are formed similar to that shown inFIGURES 7 and 8 and extend diametrically outwardly from the body portionof the plug connector in the same manner as that of the plug connectorof FIGURE 13.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURES16-19. A blank 200 to form the plug connector is shown in FIGURE 16 andis similar to that of FIGURE 6 except that instead of forming notches inthe sides, tabs 201 are provided. When the plug connector is formed fromblank 200, as shown in FIGURE 17, nose portion 20% is in the shape of acircle back of where tabs 201 are connected to form a retaining andguiding means (see FIGURE 18). Forward of tabs 201, as shown in FIGURE19, nose portion 20% is substantially flattened in order to providesufiicient area along which detent system 207 moves. As indicated,detent system 207 is similar to that of FIG- URES 7 and 8, except thatinstead of passing through a slot to the interior of the plug connectorand out an opening in the nose portion, detent system 207 is disposedwithin the retaining and guiding means formed by tabs 201 and engagesthe flattened area forward thereof and extends outwardly from the noseportion.

A still further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES20-24. A blank 300 to form the plug connector is shown in FIGURE 20 andis similar to that of FIGURE 1 except that notches 301 are provided inthe sides in alignment with rectangular slot 302. Central portions 303are not as wide as central portions 3 of blank 1 and a notch 304 isdisposed in the right side thereof.

Extending outwardly from the right side via piece 305 and along the partof the blank to form the body portion are tongues 306 connected togetherat their outer ends by nose portion 307.

When the plug connector is formed from blank 300, as illustrated inFIGURE 21, nose portion 307 is in the shape of a cylinder with the outerend closed and conically shaped. As can be discerned, nose portion 307surrounds the outer ends of central portions 303 which are interengagedto define a stabilizing member for the nose portion. Tongues 306 extendoutwardly from body portion 308 through openings 309 that are formedfrom notches 304 and the sides of central portions 303 opposite notches304. Tongues 306 also include detent sections 306a extending outwardlythrough rectangular slot 302 and a similar slot formed from notches 301.

As indicated, detent sections 306a are similar to those in FIGURE 13,except that instead of tongues 306 passing through slots to the interiorof the plug connector and out an opening in the nose portion, thetongues extend outwardly from the body portion and form a nose portionsurrounding engaging portions of the body portion which act as astabilizing means for the nose portion. Instead of providing the noseportion with two tongues to form two detent sections, a single tonguecould be provided between piece 305 and nose portion 307 and a singledetent section would extend through slot 302, nose portion 307 wouldpreferably still take the form illustrated in FIGURES 21-23. Noseportion 306, however, may take other desirable forms depending upon thecircumstances.

The plug of FIGURES 7, 8, ll, 13, 15, 17, and 21 also has a conductormeans secured in the rear portion thereof, as well as an insulatingsheath in the same manner as that of FIGURES 25.

Each of the above plug connectors can also be used in a plugboardassembly, disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,927,295 to G. C. Sitz. Ofcourse, the present invention can be used in any other suitableplugboard.

Operation.When the plug is inserted into an aperture 12 of pluboard 13,the portion 7"a of the spring detent member 7a is cammed inwardly towardthe longitudinal axis of the plug by engagement with the outer openingof the aperture (see FIGURE 4). After the shell portion 1a has enteredthe aperture, the spring detent member is maintained inwardly, therebyduring inward movement of the plug within the aperture as shown in FIG-URE 5.

Upon complete insertion of the plug within the aperture, with ridge 9 inengagement with the outer surface of the plugboard, spring detent member7a moves beyond the inner opening of the aperture as shown in FIGURE 3,i.e., portion 7'a engages the inner surface of the plugboard. In thisposition, spring detent member 7a provides a retentive force sufiicientto maintain the plug within the aperture in spite of vibration efiectsand any other similar effects that would tend to normally cause the plugto work free of the plugboard.

If a force is applied to detent locking means 7b, as when a movablepanel of a plugboard assembly, such as that disclosed in theabove-mentioned Sitz patent, is carried to a position parallel to astationary panel, detent locking means 7b is moved relative to the plugproper such that the spring detent member 7a is forced further beyondthe inner opening of the aperture than the normal position thereof,thereby establishing a locking arrangement. Thus, the plug is locked inposition so that it will not be pushed out of the aperture, and as aresult a good connection is established between the plug and contactmember 18.

Of course, forces can be applied to the nose portion other than thatmentioned above which will provide the same locking arrangment, and theplug can be used in plugboards other than the one used to explain theoperation of the plug.

To remove the plug from the plugboard, a pull is exerted on sleeve 16which causes the inner opening of the aperture to move the spring detentmember inwardly through camming action until the spring detent member iswithin the aperture as shown in FIGURE 5. Upon complete removal of theplug, the spring detent member will assume its normal position. Tofacilitate insertion of the plug into the aperture, it can be slightlytapering from a small inner diameter to a slightly larger outerdiameter.

While the operation has been only directed to the plug of FIGURES 1-5,it is obvious that the plug of FIGURES 6-19 operates in the same manner.

While the operation of the plug in FIGURES 20-24 is the same as theother plugs, the nose portion integrally connected to the detentsections operates detent sections to lock the plug in position in theplugboard whenever a force is applied thereto. This is different fromthe other embodiments, because the nose portions thereof are integralwith the body portions thereof and are therefore stationary. Theembodiment of FIGURES 20-24 presents a nose portion having more contactarea and a rounded section to decrease wear between engaging contactmembers.

It can be discerned that there has been disclosed an electricalconnector plug having a novel detent system, which is in one piece andis integral with the plug proper and, therefore, providing a long-soughtneed in the connector plug field; i.e., a plug fabricated from a singlepiece of material thereby obviating the addition of different partsduring assembly of the plug, as well as the manufacture of thesedifferent parts.

It will therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and otherdesirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasizedthat the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown anddescribed herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not asrestrictive of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A one-piece plug connector comprising a sleeve having a stabilizingsection extending outwardly from one end and a pair of aligned openings,one opening being disposed adjacent said stabilizing section, the otheropening being spaced from said stabilizing section; a detent memberintegrally anchored at one end to a piece within said sleeve andincluding a first section extending from said piece and along aninterior surface of said sleeve to said other opening, a second sectiondefining a detent section extending through said other opening andoutwardly beyond an exterior surface of said sleeve, a third sectionextending from said second section through said one opening and alongsaid stabilizing section, and a fourth section defining a nose portionsurrounding said stabilizing section; said fourth section being movablerelative to said stabilizing section upon a force being applied theretocausing said detent section to remain in a stationary or move slightlyoutwardly from a normal position of rest.

2. A plug connector for insertion in an aperture in a plugboardcomprising a hollow metallic sleeve, a stabilizing section extendingoutwardly from a forward end of said sleeve, said sleeve having alignedopenings with a first opening rearwardly of said stabilizing section anda second opening adjacent said stabilizing section, and a detent systemincluding a first section having one end integrally connected to aninterior section of said sleeve and another end extending through saidfirst opening outwardly from said sleeve defining a detent section and asecond section having one end extending from said detent section throughsaid second opening and another end surrounding a portion of saidstabilizing section defining a nose portion and being movable relativethereto.

3. A plug connector according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve includesother aligned openings diametrically disposed relative to thefirst-mentioned openings and another detent system including a firstsection having one end integrally connected to said interior section andanother end extending through the first opening of the other alignedopenings and outwardly from said sleeve defining another detent sectionand a second section having one end extending from said other detentsection through the second opening of the other aligned openings andanother end being connected to said nose portion.

4. A plug connector comprising a sleeve having support means extendingoutwardly from one end, said sleeve having openings in axial alignmentand spaced from each other, detent means having one end integrallyanchored to an interior section of said sleeve, an intermediate sectionincluding a first portion extending through one of said openings beyondan outer surface of said sleeve and a second portion extending throughthe other of said openings and outwardly therefrom in a directionparallel to said support means, and a nose portion connected to saidsecond portion and surrounding said support means and being movablerelative thereto to actuate said detent means.

5. In a plug contactor of the type to fit in an aperture of a connectiondevice, a sleeve member having a first section unitable with saidaperture and a second section extendable outwardly from said connectiondevice, said sleeve member having axially aligned openings therein, aspring member having an inner end integrally anchored to an interiorsection of said sleeve member and extending along an interior surface ofsaid sleeve member including a portion extending outwardly through oneof said aligned openings beyond an exterior surface of said sleevemember and another portion extending through the other of said alignedopenings along said second section of said sleeve member, and a nosemember surrounding said second section and connected to said otherportion, said nose member being movable relative to said second sectionto cause the first mentioned portion of said spring member to remain ata position of rest or move outwardly beyond said position of rest.

6. A plug contactor comprising a sleeve member having axially alignedholes therein and a supporting structure at one end, a nose membersurrounding said supporting structure and movable relative thereto, anda detent member having first, second and third sections, said firstsection being connected to an interior piece of said sleeve member andextending along an interior surface thereof to one of said alignedholes, said second section extending outwardly through said one of saidaligned holes beyond an exterior surface of said sleeve member, saidthird section being connected between said second section and said nosemember and extending through the other of said aligned holes.

7. A plug contactor comprising a sleeve member having axially alignedholes therein and a supporting structure at one end, a nose membersurrounding said supporting structure and movable relative thereto, anda detent member connected between an interior piece of said sleevemember and said nose member with a section extending through one of saidaligned holes and outwardly beyond an exterior surface of said sleevemember and another section extending through the other of said alignedholes.

8. A plug connector comprising a sleeve having a support means extendingoutwardly from one end and inner and outer openings in axial alignmentand spaced from each other, detent means having first, second and thirdsections, said first section being disposed within said sleeve at saidinner opening and being directed toward the other end of said sleeve,said second section having an arcuate configuration and extendingthrough said inner opening and outwardly beyond an outer surface of saidsleeve, said third section extending through said outer opening, and anose member connected to said third section, surrounding said supportmeans and movable relative thereto.

9. A one-piece plug connector comprising a hollow body, a spring detentsystem formed integral therewith and including a spring detent memberand a detent locking means adapted to push said spring detent memberoutwardly from said body upon a force being applied thereto, and tabmeans disposed on the nose portion of said body which extends outwardlytherefrom to form a retaining and guiding means, said detent lockingmeans being disposed within said retaining and guiding means andoutwardly from the nose portion.

10. A plug connector formed from one piece of material comprising ahollow tubular shell, securing means extending from one end of saidshell for securing conductor means therein, a hollow nose portionextending from a second end of said shell and having an opening therein,said shell having another opening disposed therein, and a spring detentsystem of said one-piece of material including a spring detent meansextending outwardly from said shell and within said other opening and adetent locking means extending through the opening in said nose portionand outwardly therefrom, said detent locking means adapted to moverelative to said nose portion to push said spring detent means outfurther than its normal position upon a force being applied thereto.

11. In a one-piece plug connector according to claim 10, wherein saidnose portion has a diameter less than that of said shell.

12. In a one-piece plug connector according to claim 10 wherein saidshell has an inwardly-directed area against which said detent lockingmeans engages to reduce the engagement area of same on said shell.

13. In a one-piece plug connector according to claim 10 wherein saidspring detent means and said detent locking means has a cross-sectionalconfiguration to strengthen same.

14. In a one-piece plug connector according to claim 13 wherein saidcross-sectional configuration is arcuate.

15. In a one-piece plug connector according to claim 13 wherein thecross-sectional configuration of said spring detent means is oppositelydisposed with respect to that of said detent locking means.

16. A connector formed from one piece of material for insertion in anaperture in a plugboard comprising a hollow sleeve member having anopening therein, a spring detent means having one end integrallyanchored to said sleeve member and the other end including an arcuateconfiguration projecting outwardly from said sleeve member and extendingwithin said opening, said other end of said spring detent means beingfreely movable relative to said sleeve member, and a detent lockingmeans movably mounted in said sleeve member and having a nose portionextending beyond said sleeve member, said spring detent means and detentlocking means being of said one piece of material, said detent lockingmeans upon a force being applied thereto adapted to move said springdetent means substantially beyond its normal projecting position to lockthe plug connector within the aperture of the plugboard.

17. A one-piece connector according to claim 16 wherein said springdetent means and said detent locking means has a cross-sectionalconfiguration to give strength thereto.

18. A one-piece connector according to claim 17 wherein thecross-sectional configuration of said spring detent means is opposite tothat of said detent locking means.

19. A one-piece connector for insertion in an aperture in a plugboardcomprising a hollow sleeve member having a nose portion, tab meansextending outwardly from said nose portion to form a retaining andguiding means, a spring detent means having one end integrally anchoredto said sleeve member and the other end including an arcuateconfiguration projecting outwardly from said sleeve member and extendingalong said nose portion, said other end of said spring detent meansbeing freely movable relative to said sleeve member, and a detentlocking means movably mounted on said nose portion and being disposedwithin said retaining and guiding means, said spring detent means anddetent locking means being a single piece of material, said detentlocking means upon a force being applied thereto adapted to move saidspring detent means substantially beyond its normal projecting positionto lock the plug connector within the aperture of the plugboard.

20. A plug connector formed from one piece of sheet metal comprising atubular body member having a front portion, a detent means being of saidone piece of material including a first section having one end anchoredat a position remote from said front portion and extending along saidtubular body member substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis ofsaid body member, a second section defining an arcuate detent memberextending outwardly from an exterior surface of said body member, and athird section defining an actuating member extending along said frontportion and having a portion extending outwardly from said frontportion.

21. A plug connector for insertion in an aperture of a plugboardcomprising a hollow metallic sleeve having a first opening adjacent oneend and a second opening in this one end coaxial with a longitudinalaxis of the sleeve, and a detent means in association with said sleevebeing formed from fiat stock and including a first section having oneend anchored onto said sleeve at a position remote from the one end andextending substantially parallel to said axis, a second section defininga detent member extending through said first opening and projectingbeyond said sleeve to a normal position of rest and a third sectionextending through said second opening beyond said one end, said secondand third sections at the juncture therebetween engaging a point of aninner surface of said sleeve opposite said first opening to guide saidthird section upon a force being applied to said detent member and toallow said third section to maintain at or bias said detent memberbeyond said normal position of rest when a force is applied to saidthird section.

22. A plug connector formed from one piece of material for insertion inan aperture of a plugboard c mprising a metallic sleeve having a guidemeans and an opening adjacent said guide means, a detent means beingformed from an edge of said one piece of material and including a firstsection, a second section and a third section, said first sectionextending toward said guide means, said second section defining a detentmember having a portion extending outwardly beyond an extreior surfaceof said sleeve across said opening, said third section extending alongsaid guide means and defining an actuating member to actuate said detentmember with said guide means guiding said actuating member duringactuation thereof.

23. In a plug contactor for insertion in a plugboard aperture, a hollowcylindrical body formed of fiat conductive material, said body having arear support portion and a forward sleeve contact portion of an outerdiameter substantially smaller than that of the support portion and abore coaxial with said support portion, a first opening in the side wallof the support portion near the forward sleeve portion and a secondopening in the end of the forward sleeve portion, a detent structureattached at one end to the support portion at a point removed from theforward sleeve portion to extend along said body, the said detentstructure having legs tied together to form a detent and to form aspring member biasing said detent to project through said first openingto latch said contactor against being pulled out of the plugboardaperture, one of said legs having a portion extending from said detentout of said second opening to receive forces applied to the forward endof the contactor and apply said forces to said detent to lock thecontactor against being pushed out of the plugboard aperture, the saidone leg bearing against the bore of said forward sleeve portion at apoint on an inner surface opposite to the first opening to develop saidspring force.

24. The contactor of claim 23 wherein said forward sleeve portion boreincludes an inwardly directed portion at the point of bearing of saidleg.

25. A connector formed from one piece of material for insertion in anaperture in an insulating member, said connector comprising a hollowmetallic member having a forward nose portion and a rearward portionadapted to be connected to an electrical conductor, an opening disposedin a first side of said metallic member between said forward andrearward portions, a spring detent formed integrally with said metallicmember and extending from a second side generally opposite to said firstside, said detent extending through the hollow interior of said metallicmember and projecting therefrom through said opening, said detentextending at an acute angle to said metallic member and adapted to beingdeflected inwardly by said aperture in said insulating member, saiddetent being operative to prevent movement of said connector in adirection opposite to the insertion direction, and said opening having aforward edge in close proximity to the projecting portion of saiddetent.

26. A connector as set forth in claim 25 further comprising stop meanslocated adjacent said rearward portion of said metallic member forlimiting movement of said connector into the aperture in the insulatingmember.

27. A connector as set forth in claim 25 wherein said opening is axiallyoffset from the portion of said detent connected with said second sideof said metallic member.

28. A connector as set forth in claim 25 wherein said detent normallyengages the forward edge of said opening.

29. A unitary plug connector constructed from a single piece of metalcomprising a sleeve formed by rolling said piece of metal into tubularform, said sleeve having a support portion, a contact portion and a baseportion, said base portion being connectable to an electric conductor,said plug connector having an aperture, a locking member extendingthrough said aperture, and a cantilevered arm disposed within saidsupport portion, said locking member being integrally formed on saidarm, said locking member and said arm being formed from one side of saidpiece of metal and extending inwardly and axially along at least a partof said sleeve, the cantilevered arm being integral with andcantilevered from said plug connector to define a resiliently-disposedmember urging said locking member through said aperture.

30. A connector formed from one piece of material f r insertion in anaperture in an insulating member, said connector comprising a hollowmetallic member having a forward contact portion and a rearward portionadapted to be connected to an electrical conductor, said connectorhaving an aperture, a locking member extending through said aperture, acantilevered arm extending from said cannector, said locking memberbeing integrally formed on said arm, said locking member and said armbeing formed from one side of said piece of material and extendinginwardly and generally axially along at least a part of said hollowmember, the cantilevered arm being integral with and cantilevered fromsaid connector to define a resiliently disposed member urging saidlocking member through said aperture.

31. A connector as set fourth in claim 30 wherein a portion of saidhollow member provides means for covering said axially extending portionof said arm, said hollow member portion being located adjacent saidaperture through which said locking member extends.

32. A connector as set forth in claim 31 wherein said hollow memberportion .is formed from a second side of said piece of material oppositeto said one side, said second side and said one side being injuxtaposition along said formed connector.

33. A connector as set forth in claim 30 wherein said locking memberextends outwardly of said hollow member along the same surface of saidformed connector from which said arm extends.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,130,424 9/1938 Grant 339 2,330,948 10/ 1943Brand et al. 2,691,146 10/1954 Pollock. 2,716,744 8/1955 Swanson et al.339'255 XR 2,779,007 1/1957 Cunningham. 2,980,883 4/ 1961 Scheller.3,008,118 11/1961 Mavity. 3,134,633 5/1964 Hatfield.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, AssistantExaminer

